A – Z of Illnesses & Conditions

Halitosis: Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Halitosis can be extremely damaging to an individual’s self-esteem and confidence giving rise to severe depression and isolation. Individuals who suffer from halitosis tend to avoid interactions for fear of embarrassment. Very often an individual may be ignorant about the condition. Halitosis can be caused by a variety of conditions, many altogether unconnected to dental health.

Identifying the cause is essential to find a lasting cure or a medication. Bad breath may be the result of some medical condition, or may be caused by poor oral hygiene, poor eating habits and food choices, or an unhealthy lifestyle. Conditions like liver or kidney disorders may cause halitosis.

A simple test to find out whether you have bad breath is to lick the inside of your wrist with the back of your tongue and wait for a few seconds until the saliva dries. If your wrist smells unpleasant, it's likely your breath does too.

If you still have bad breath after making changes to your dental hygiene, see your doctor. There may be a medical cause that needs investigating. Don't try to hide the smell of your breath before visiting your dentist or doctor, because it will make it more difficult for them to find out what's causing the problem.

BAD BREATH